Watson denies Samoa academy

Warriors? CEO, Mick Watson has come out and totally denied the speculation that his National Rugby League club were setting up at Rugby League academy in Samoa. The news, which hit the New Zealand press a few weeks ago, was believed to be part of a strategy by the NRL club to try and capitalise on the wealth of talent that is in the pacific, and seems to have been forgotten by other Rugby League clubs.

Watson said he was flattered by the club being linked to such an initiative, however there was no truth in it. The speculation does send out a message to other NRL clubs which would be looking at expanding their potential player pool. The costs associated with setting up an academy in a Pacific nation would be significantly less than setting one up in Australia or New Zealand.